How Do I Earn Buy-In from Digital Natives?

Abstract

Many teachers find it difficult to encourage their students to write in class, yet writing is becoming increasingly important in academic and workplace settings. Students are already writing through cell phone texting, gaming systems, and social networking sites every day, but these resources go largely untapped in many English language arts classrooms. We found several ways to motivate our students to write using technology they already use and enjoy. Students loved to create character bookmarks, character Facebook or MySpace pages, and guides for video games. Incorporating technology students already want to use, we created projects based on literature we were reading in our classes. In the end, technology became the enticement that created a gateway to deeper reading and better writing. The students then produced exemplary papers and projects with genuine text-to-self and text-to-world connections. Motivating your students to write is easier and the experience fuller when you include technology.